By Bronwyn Halfpenny, Thomastown MP
We all know of the immense strain the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our health system and for that reason the Andrews Labor government is putting patients first in the Victorian Budget 2022-23. This budget will invest over $12 billion to put patients first, with a pandemic repair plan for more staff, better hospitals, and first-class care.
When calling an ambulance, every Victorian should have the confidence one will arrive. That’s why we’re delivering a new five-bay ambulance station at Epping.
As we roll-out our pandemic repair plan to make sure people in Thomastown get the care they deserve, we’re also getting on with delivering the schools, roads and public transport services they rely on.
Students with special needs should receive the same opportunities as every other student in our state.
In this budget, we’re upgrading 36 special schools, including the Northern School for Autism Lalor campus, which will receive $26.3 million for an upgrade across the precinct – giving students a new community hub and junior learning building. This funding also includes an upgrade of the U3A and the Men’s Shed. But that’s not all – Merriang Special Developmental School will receive $5.3 million to deliver the final stage of the master plan at the Lalor campus, and to upgrade the junior campus.
This will mean every single special school in Victoria will have received funding for a major upgrade since we came to government.
We’re also in the midst of securing land for the future Wollert Andrews Road Primary School (interim name),so that more kids get to go to a great school, with great teachers, close to home.
We’re making it easier for Victorians to cycle around our city and suburbs, with $250,000 to get on with planning to raise the level of the Darebin Creek trail under the M80 Ring Road and protect it from flooding – making cycling safer, easing congestion, and supporting construction jobs for Victorians.
The Andrews Labor government will keep delivering improvements to our public transport network, investing $4.7 million to deliver improvements at Lalor station including platform accessibility upgrades, passenger shelter and CCTV.
We’ll also keep supporting our growing suburbs, with an additional $50 million for our Growing Suburbs Fund so we can continue building health and wellbeing hubs, new parks, and community centres in our growing suburban and peri-urban communities.
We know that many Victorians are still paying too much for their energy bills – that’s why we’re stepping in to help families get the best deal. From July 1, we’re providing a one-off$250 Power Saving Bonus to every Victorian Household that visits the Victorian Energy Compare website to search for a better energy deal.
With this budget, we’re getting on with delivering for all Victorians.
